Can I modify a 4 string Neck to become a 5er?

[Hot Rats]

I'm having a thought bubble here and thinking of building a five string Bass, with a 24 fret neck. Finding a suitable 5 sting neck seems to be more difficult that finding a 4 string neck. Will the additional tension of the B string adversely affect a neck or must I keep looking for a 5er neck that fits my aesthetic?

It can be done. I did it to this Warmoth P bass neck and dinky jazz body.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I did it on an older Goya double P.
If you have a Split coil P type pickup the A string ends up in an unsensed area.. EMG makes blade pickups that sense to the edge of the shell: this addressed that issue.
You’ll need a bridge that has 15-16mm spacing available or the stings will lie outside of the heel area on the neck.

Thread 'Special Edition Build off - Goya 4-5 conversion'

Jun 6, 2020

70's Korean built Goya Dual P
1 3/4 nut width
ONE PIECE Mahogany Body
Hipshot Kickass 5 bridge

• /\/\3phist0
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Luthier's Corner

• 

 

[Saetia]

Former TB member Ric5 made a bunch of 4-to-5 conversions, but he's been gone a long while now.

I think perhaps that’s where my head was to begin with. Oooops. I’m starting to feel the whole “not as quick as I used to be” senescence deal.

 

[Faith Nicole]

I'm having a thought bubble here and thinking of building a five string Bass, with a 24 fret neck. Finding a suitable 5 sting neck seems to be more difficult that finding a 4 string neck. Will the additional tension of the B string adversely affect a neck or must I keep looking for a 5er neck that fits my aesthetic?

Thanks for all the feedback. Neck width was something I failed to consider. Thanks for popping my thought bubble. I might just wait until I find something that I like and maybe build that.

Can or cannot isn't the question - You absolutely can. Whether you like the result is entirely up to your preferences. I had no sound issues with the B and the neck held just fine.

Angle from the string retainer to 5th tuner is tight, but works. I didn't shift the new hole far enough - that was my bad.
4 pole pickups have no problem with 5 strings.

For my preference, I kept string spacing the same. It put the B and G close to the edge but is fine with my play style.

PS.

This is what the bass body looked like before I started:

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I don’t think he’s on here anymore but search for some of the threads from Ric5 mentioned above. I believe he went into some detail about his conversions. I’m pretty sure mapleglo has a thread about her 5 string conversion pictured above also if you want deets on the how to.

 

[Saetia]

This is what the bass body looked like before I started:
View attachment 7162614

Anyone else have the urge to do a kick flip?

 

[Faith Nicole]

Anyone else have the urge to do a kick flip?

Not me, but when I saw the poor thing on craigslist I knew that I had to help the poor thing. I think I improved it.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Thread 'ISO: WILKINSON 4+1 BRIDGE, OR SOME SUITABLE KNOCKOFF'

Aug 9, 2018

I would love to find an easy 4-string to 5-string conversion kit like the discontinued Wilkinson 4+1. Thought it'd be fun to convert a short scale 4 to a 5. Is there a product out there that exists to do this anymore? (Yes, I could buy a Mikro, and I just might, but I like dinking around with stuff; I converted an MIM Jazz V into a 6 string several years back and it turned out terrific...)

• fretlessman71
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]

 

[iriegnome]

Sorry. No pic's, but I have done 6-4 string to 5 string conversions. Super easy to do, fun project to do. I try to search out the wider 4 string necks with 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 nut width. I prefer tight spacing (my current go it is a 5 string on a 4 string neck). Go for it...